Since you asked:

"Therefore, to be possess'd with double pomp, to guard a title that was rich before, to gild refined gold, to paint the lily, to throw a perfume on the violet, to smooth the ice, or add another hue unto the rainbow, or with taper-light to seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish, is wasteful and ridiculous excess."

~William Shakespeare, ca. 1595

Yup, that's us.

November 13, 2015

Leslie Marsh, InstructorSaturday & Sunday, February 6 & 7, 2016Class Fee: $275.00We're
happy to welcome book artist Leslie Marsh back to Gilding the Lily as
our first teacher of the new year. Over this two-day workshop, Leslie
will show participants how to how to solder, stamp and embellish book
covers, and how to bind them into a treasured book using Coptic binding -
a technique that has been used since the second century. At the same
time, she will show students how
to to coax beautiful prints onto paper for their pages using leaves,
heat and water. While we will be dyeing paper during the workshop,
Leslie will talk about how the same process can be applied to dyeing
fabric. The skills (and handouts) students leave this technique-ﬁlled workshop with will arm them to make books of all sizes.Kits
will include everything necessary to complete a 6- by 4-inch book
similar as shown. Participants will have the option of emailing their
own photos to be used in their covers to Leslie for sizing and printing
before the workshop.

* These items are necessary to complete the book, but, if people are
willing to share, Leslie will have some they can use. We don't want the
tool list to be overwhelming!

All class fees are prepaid, and
non-refundable. Contact class manager Dede Warren at 714-757-0558 to
reserve your place in this class. You may also reserve your place in
person at the store by check, cash or credit card, or via phone with
your credit card. Call us if you need assistance...we'll be happy to
help!

February 08, 2015

It's been a long week or two, catching up after the flu and getting ready for a visit from family in Belgium. We thought we'd have the whole month of January to prepare and take on projects at the house, but ended up cramming whatever we could into two scant weeks....repairs, renovations, plumbing, furnishings.

Friday and Saturday were two days of respite from housecleaning hell, as I worked both days in the store. I took in bags and baskets of things culled from my studio, as one of our projects was moving my portion of the office downstairs into my studio, which launched a campaign to tame the stuff and separate from as much as I could.

It felt good to have a big cleansing like that, and to contemplate a workspace more functional than frou frou. I've still got a ways to go, but am making progress daily.

These little rosebuds came to light during the cleaning and uncovering, tucked away in a bag with a hat. I am sure at one time I intended to stitch them on it, but I think they are better left to shine on their own. I took a few minutes out from work at the store to steam them and restore the beautiful silk and velvet leaves to their former glory. They will go home with someone and be tucked into a vignette and give joy to another. We all need a little truth and beauty, right?

February 03, 2015

January 15, 2015

I've always been fond of tassels, lariats, tie backs and fripperies. But the old beaded tassels hold a special place in my heart. They represent an enormous amount of work for one thing, and if you are lucky enough to lay hands on some of the really old ones, the beads are amazing to behold.